Attachments for sewing machines



4, 1954 A. GLASSMAN ETAL 3,143,092

' ATTACHMENTS FOR srzwmc MACHINES Filed June 18,.1962 7 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I w M552 1 57" MM 3W? IN VEN T 0R5 flaw/v 609mm 5 PAM Jfiamee/aa United States Patent 3,143,092 ATTACHMENTS FOR SEWING MACHINES Aaron Glassman, Scranton, and Paul J. Bonarrigo, Dunznore, Pa, assignors to Pennsylvania Sewing Research Corp, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed .Iune 18, 1952, Ser. No. 205,167 8 Claims. (Cl. 112105) This is a continuation-in-part application of parent application Serial Number 29,645, filed May 17, 1960, by the same applicants thereof and now abandoned. Both applications are assigned to the same assignee.

This invention relates to improved attachments for sewing machines and particularly to attachments for holding an accessory, such as a hook or an eye, in a predetermined position for sewing. The sewing machine or stitch forming machine used for the attachment, herein after described, is of the type generally used to secure buttons, hooks, or other fasteners to fabric or pliable web material. 7

Previously, sewing machine attachments have been provided for holding a hook or an eye in a predetermined position for sewing to fabric. Previous attachments generally comprised a horizontally extending positioning member having, at the extended end, a cavity adapted to receive therein either a hook or an eye, and a spring finger for holding a hook or an eye therein by spring pressure. The disadvantage with such previous attachments is that each hook or eye must be pressed into the cavity by hand against the pressure of the spring. This results in excessive use of motions and energy by the machine operator, as well as sore and cut fingers.

An object of this invention is to provide improved attachments for sewing machines.

A further object is to provide improved sewing machine attachments for locating and holding a magnetizable accessory, such as a hook or an eye, in a predetermined position for sewing.

The invention herein is based on an appreciation that many clothing accessories are of a magnetizable material, such as steel, which has been coated with an enamel or a metal, and may be positioned and held in a predetermined position in a suitable attachment by a magnetic field. The attachments described herein comprise a generally horizontally extending positioning member having a cavity therein adapted to receive an accessory which is to be sewn. The attachments herein include magnetic means for attracting the accessory into the cavity in the desired position and for holding the accessory in that position.

The magnetic means may include a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic means is within the attachment and is located so as to produce a magnetic field or mag netic flux which extends through the open end of said cavity. When the operator holds the accessory close to the open end of the cavity, the magnetic field draws the accessory into the cavity and holds it against the internal surfaces of the cavity in the desired position for sewing. Nevertheless, the attraction is such that the accessory is easily removed from the cavity when the sewing thereof has been completed.

A detailed description appears below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention for positioning either a hook or an eye of the type having a curved eye portion and a pair of adjacent eyelets at one end of the accessory,

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevational view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 viewed along section lines 2-2 of FIGURE 3, in position prior to stitching a hook to fabric,

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FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG- URE 1 immediately after stitching a hook to fabric.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG- URE 1 immediately after stitching an eye to fabric,

FIGURE 5 is a sectional, elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention similar to the embodiment of FIGURE 1 but including an electromagnet,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the invention for locating and holding a straight eye,

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view along section lines 7-7 of the embodiment of FIGURE 6,

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the invention for locating and holding the end links of a length of chain,

FIGURES 9 and 10 are respectively a sectional view along sectional lines 9--9 and an end view of the embodiment of FIGURE 8.

Similar reference numerals are used for similar elements throughout the drawings.

FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. The first embodiment is a unitary structure having an L shape with an overall height (vertical dimension) of about 1.25 inches, an overall length (horizontal dimension) of about 1.25 inches, and a width of about 0.75 inch. All of the portions of the attachment are of a nonmagnetic material such as brass, copper, plastic, or ceramic.

A vertically extending shank portion 21 of the first embodiment is about 0.25 inch long (horizontal dimension) and has a vertical slot 23 therein extending downward from the upper end thereof for attaching the shank portion 21 to a stationary portion 29 on a sewing machine as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. For attachment, the shank portion 21 is slipped under a screw head 25 of a screw 27 in the slot 23, the attachment is positioned as desired, and the screw 27 tightened. Substantially the same shank portion is illustrated for each of the other embodiments described below.

The horizontally extending positioning portion 31, also referred to as a foot of the embodiment, is about 0.25 inch high and about 1.25 inches long (horizontal dimension). One end of the positioning portion or foot 31 is attached to the lower end of the shank portion 21 and is preferably integral with the shank portion 21. The other extended end 33 of the positioning portion 31 has an open definitely shaped cavity 35 therein adapted to receive either a hook or an eye of the type which has a pair of adjacent eyelets at one end thereof through which the thread passes for stitching the hook or eye to fabric. The opening to the cavity 35 is formed in part by two opposed curved or arcuate surfaces 37 arranged to receive the outer opposed curved surfaces of the eyelets of a hook or an eye. FIGURE 3 illustrates the outer opposed curved surfaces of the eyelets 73 of a hook 71 bearing against the curved surfaces 37 of the cavity. FIGURE 4 illustrates the outer opposed curved surfaces of the eyelets 83 of an eye 81 bearing against the curved surfaces 37 of the cavity 35. The extended end of the foot 31 curves inwardly so that the foot 31 is clear of the stitching needle 61 and of the stitches 67 formed by the sewing machine. As illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the adjacent eylets 73 and 83 extend beyond the cavity and under the stitching needle 61.

The cavity includes also a first pair of parallel spaced vertical walls 39, a horizontal floor 41, and a first horizontal roof 43 extending inwardly of the foot 31 adapting the foot 31 to receive the hook portion 75 of the hook 71 as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

The cavity 35 includes also a second pair of parallel spaced vertical walls 45, the horizontal floor 41, and a second horizontal roof 47 extending inwardly of the foot 31 adapting the foot 31 to receive the eye portion 85 of the eye 81 as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

A small cylindrical permanent magnet 51 is fixed within the foot 31 and axially aligned with the cavity 35 and extends from the most inward portion of the cavity 35 to the end of the foot 31 which joins the shank 21. The magnet 51 may be so positioned by pressing it into a small cylindrical hole bored in the desired position for that purpose. The magnet may be held in the 11016 by a press-fit, by adhesive, or by other suitable arrangement. The magnet 51 is magnetized so that a magnetic field (also referred to as magnetic flux) extends through the opening to the cavity 35. The magnet 51 may be so magnetized either before or after insertion into the foot 31. The magnet 51 may be of any of the known permanent magnet materials, but is preferably of an aluminumnickel-cobalt alloy, generally known as alnico. Where a longer magnet 51 is required, the magnet 51 may extend under the stationary portion 29 of the sewing machine, or may be housed in a longer foot 31. Substantially the same magnet is illustrated in each of the embodiments illustrated in FIGURES 6 to 10.

The foot 31 also has a transverse hole 53 extending across the width of the foot 31 at the most inward portion of the cavity 35. It has been found that dust, lint, and other fine material tends to accumulate at the most inward portion of the cavity at the end of the magnet 51. The hole 53 provides an access through which this undesirable material may be removed, as by blowing with air.

In operation, the shank portion 21 is positioned and attached to the stationary portion of a sewing machine below the needle 61 as previously described. A hook 71 (or an eye 81) is held close to the open end of the cavity 35 in the desired orientation. The magnetic flux extending from the magnet 51 through the open end of the cavity 35 draws the hook 71 (or the eye 31) into the cavity 35 and holds it therein with the outer opposed curved surfaces of the eyelets 73 (or 83) bearing against the arcuate spaced walls 37 of the cavity 35. A piece of fabric 63 is positioned on a table 65 below the needle 61. The attachment is now moved downwardly so that the bottom of the foot 31 rests on the fabric 63. The needle 61 now stitches the hook 71 (or the eye 81) to the fabric 63 by alternate motion into each eyelet 73 (or 83. FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate the stitching 67 through the eyelets 73 (or 83). The attachment is now moved upwardly and the fabric 63 with the hook 71 (or the eye 81) stitched thereto is removed and the process repeated.

The horizontally extending foot portion 31 and the shank portion 21 may be perpendicular to one another. It has been found advantageous, however, to make the angle therebetween slightly greater than 90, preferably about 100, so that the extended end 33 of the foot 31 toes slightly downward. It is further advantageous to bevel the bottom of the foot 31 so that the bottom portion 55 near the extended end 33 is perpendicular to the shank 21. The downward toe and the bevel 55 of the foot 31' brings the eyelets 73 (or 83) closer to the fabric 63 producing a tighter stitching thereto.

The attachment of FIGURES 1 through 4 does not require the insertion of the hook (or the eye) into the cavity 35 by pressure. Furthermore, there are no moving parts therein to require servicing or adjustment. The actual insertion and positioning of the hook 71 (or eye 81) with respect to the stitching needle 61 is done by the magnetic attraction of the magnetic field from the magnet for the hook 71 (or the eye 81).

FIGURE 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, which is similar to the first embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 4, except that an electromagnet 91 replaces the permanent magnet 51. The electromagnet 91 comprises a coil 93 of wire and a core 95 of high permeability material positioned to produce a principal magnetic flux path through the cavity and out of the open end thereof. The coil 93 has two leads 97 extending therefrom, which leads 87 are connected to a direct current energizing source 89 such as a battery through a switch 99. When the switch 99 is closed, the electromagnet is energized to produce the desired magnetic attraction. The use of an electromagnet permits rapid adjustment of the strength of the magnetic field by control of the current flowing in the coil 93. Further, the electromagnet adapts the attachment to be used with an automatic hook and eye feeder.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention which is adapted for positioning and holding a straight eye 101 for sewing. A straight eye 101 includes eyelets 103 which are at opposite ends of a straight eye portion 105. Unlike the eye 81 illustrated in FIGURE 4, the straight eye must be sewn through each eyelet 103. The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except in the design of the cavity 35b and of the extended end 331) of the positioning portion 31b.

The extended end 33b includes a pan 107 having a flat floor which leads to an open cavity 355. The height of the cavity 351) is such as to admit only the narrow dimension of an eye 101 which occurs only when the eye 101 is in a horizontal position. The width of the cavity 35b is such as to admit an eye 101 into the cavity only in the lengthwise direction; that is, first one eyelet 103, then the eye portion 101, then the other eyelet 103. The length of the cavity 35b is such that all or substantially all of the eye 101 is within the cavity 35b when it has been positioned. A first Z shaped aperture 109 is in the roof of the cavity 35b. The upper and lower bars of the 2 correspond and are designed to permit the sewing needle (not shown) to enter the cavity to stitch each eyelet 103. The central portion of the Z shaped aperture is for convenience of design and may be omitted or altered in shape. A second aperture 111 is in the floor of the cavity 35b. The second aperture is of such size and shape as to permit a straight eye located in the cavity 35b to be removed therethrough.

In operation, the shank portion 21b is attached to a stationary portion of a sewing machine (not shown) as previously described. A fabric 63b is placed on the sewing table 65b and the attachment lowered until it rests on the fabric 6512. A straight eye 101 is placed on the pan 107 in a horizontal position. The eye 101 is pushed, as with the operators finger, to a position near the opening to the cavity 35b. The magnetic field from the magnet 51b attracts the eye 101 into the cavity 35b and seats it in the predetermined position and holds it there for sewing. As shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the movement of the eye 101 is stopped when it bears against the magnet 5112. This stop position may be altered by repositioning the magnet 5112 or by inserting a shim or a stop (not shown) between the magnet 51]) and the cavity 35b. The eyelets 103 are stitched individually by a reciprocating needle (not shown) which enters the cavity 3522 through the apertures 109 and 111. After stitching, the attachment is raised and the eye 101, which is now sewn to the fabric 63b, is removed from the cavity 35b through the second aperture 111.

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the'invention which is adapted for positioning and holding the end links in a length of chain 113 for sewing. A length of such chain 113, usually of the twist link type and made up of links 115, is frequently sewn into a coat collar in the form of a loop for hanging the coat on a clothes hook. The fourth embodiment is similar to the are within the cavity 350. A first aperture 117 is in the roof of the cavity 35c. The first aperture 117 is designed to permit the sewing needle (not shown) to enter the cavity and to stitch a link, such as the end link 115. There is a second aperture 119 in the floor of the cavity 350. The second aperture 119 extends from the open end of the cavity almost to the back of the cavity and is of such size and shape as to permit a length of chain to be removed therethrough.

In operation, the shank portion 21c is attached to a stationary portion of a sewing machine (not shown) as previously described. A fabric 63c is placed on the sewing table 65c and the attachment lowered until it rests on the fabric 65c. The end of a length of magnetizable chain is brought near the open end of the cavity 35c. The magnetic field from the magnet 51c attracts the end link 115 into the cavity 350 and seats it in the predetermined position and holds it there for sewing. As shown in FIG- URES 8 and 9, the movement of the link 115 is stopped when it bears against the magnet 510. This stop position may be altered by repositioning the magnet 510 or by inserting a shim or a stop (not shown) between the magnet 51c and the cavity 35c. If the end link 115 is twisted in the cavity it may be straightened simply by rotating the portion of the chain 113 which is outside the cavity 350 until the end link 115 is in the proper position. The end link 115 is stitched by a reciprocating needle (not shown) which enters the cavity 35:: through the apertures 117 and 119. After stitching, the attachment is raised and the chain 113, which is now sewn to the fabric 630, is removed from the cavity 350 through the second aperture 119.

What is claimed is:

1. A sewing machine attachment for locating and holding a magnetizable accessory in a predetermined position for sewing comprising a substantially horizontally extending positioning member having an open cavity therein, at least a portion of the walls of said cavity defining a seat for said accessory in said predetermined position, and magnetic means within said positioning member for producing a magnetic flux which extends from said seat through the opening of said cavity, said magnetic flux being of sufiicient strength to attract said accessory from outside said cavity to said seat and to hold said accessory on said seat in said predetermined position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said positioning member is non-magnetic and said magnetic means includes a permanent magnet.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said positioning member is non-magnetic and said magnetic means includes an electromagnet.

4. An attachment for a sewing machine for locating and holding a magnetizable hook or eye in a predetermined position for sewing comprising a substantially horizontally extending hook and eye positioning portion of non-magnetic material having an open cavity in its extended end, said cavity defined by two arcuate spaced walls adapted to receive opposed curved surfaces of the eyelets of either a hook or an eye, a first pair of spaced sides, each side terminating in one of said curved surfaces and adapted to receive the eye portion of said eye, and a second pair of spaced sides adapted to receive the hook portion of said hook; and magnetic means within said positioning member for producing a magnetic flux which extends from within said cavity and through the opening of said cavity, said magnetic flux being of sufficient strength to attract said hook or eye into said cavity and to hold said hook or eye on said walls in said predetermined position.

5. An attachment for a sewing machine comprising a vertically extending shank portion for attaching said attachment to a presser bar on said sewing machine and a substantially horizontally extending hook and eye positioning portion of non-magnetic material having an open cavity in its extended end, said cavity adapted to receive either a hook of the type having a hook portion at one end and a pair of eyelets at the other end thereof, or an eye of the type having a curved eye portion at one end and a pair of eyelets at the other end thereof, said cavity including two curved spaced surfaces adapted to receive the outer opposed curved surfaces of the eyelets of either said hook or or said eye, a first pair of spaced walls, each wall terminating in one of said curved surfaces and adapted to receive the eye portion of said eye, a second pair of spaced walls, each wall terminating in one of said curved surfaces and adapted to receive the hook portion of said hook; and a magnet within said positioning portion adapted to produce a magnetic field which extends from the back of said cavity through the opening thereof, said magnetic field being of suflicient strength to attract said hook or eye into said cavity and to hold said hook or eye on said spaced surfaces in said predetermined position.

6. An attachment for a sewing machine for locating and holding a magnetizable straight eye in a predetermined position for sewing comprising a vertically extending shank portion for attaching said attachment to a presser bar on said sewing machine and a substantially horizontally extending straight eye positioning portion of non-magnetic material having an open cavity in its extended end, said cavity adapted to receive said straight eye substantially entirely therewithin with said eye in a substantially horizontal position, a portion of the Walls of said cavity defining a seat for one eyelet of said eye in said predetermined position, said positioning portion having at least one aperture in the top thereof permitting entry of a sewing needle to each eyelet of said eye, and an aperture in the bottom thereof permitting removal of said eye therethrough, and a magnet within said positioning portion adapted to produce a magnetic field which extends from the back of said cavity through the opening thereof, said magnetic field being of sufficient strength to attract said eye into said cavity and to hold said eye there in in said predetermined position.

7. An attachment for a sewing machine for locating and holding links of a magnetizable chain in a predetermined position for sewing comprising a vertically extending shank portion for attaching said attachment to a presser bar on said sewing machine and a substantially horizontally extending chain positioning portion of nonmagnetic material having an open cavity in its extended end, said cavity adapted to receive a length of chain with the links at one end thereof in said predetermined position substantially entirely within said cavity, a portion of the walls of said cavity defining a seat for the end link of said chain in said predetermined position, said positioning portion having at least one aperture in the top thereof permitting entry of a sewing needle to the positioned links of said chain, and an open-ended slot in the bottom thereof permitting removal of said chain therethrough, and a magnet within said positioning portion adapted to produce a magnetic field which extends from the back of said cavity through the opening thereof, said magnetic field being of suflicient strength to attract one end of said chain into said cavity and to hold the end links thereof in said predetermined position.

8. An attachment for a sewing machine for locating and holding a magnetizable straight eye in a predetermined positioned for sewing with a needle which reciprocates along an axis in a horizontal plane comprising a vertically extending shank portion for attaching said attachment to a presser bar on said sewing machine and a straight eye positioning portion extending substantially horizontally at a substantial angle to said axis, said positioning portion having an open cavity in its extended end adapted to receive said straight eye substantially entirely therewithin with said eye in a substantially horizontal position, a portion of the walls of said cavity defining a seat for one eyelet of said eye in said predetermined position, said positioning portion having at least one aperture through the top and bottom thereof permitting entry of said reciprocating sewing needle to each eyelet of said eye, and an aperture through the bottom thereof permitting removal of said eye therethrough, and a magnet within said positioning portion adapted to produce a magnetic field which extends from the back of said cavity through the opening thereof, said magnetic field being of sufficient strength to attract said eye into said cavity and to hold said eye therein in said predetermined position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Mar. 23, 1953 

1. A SEWING MACHINE ATTACHMENT FOR LOCATING AND HOLDING A MAGNETIZABLE ACCESSORY IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION FOR SEWING COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING POSITIONING MEMBER HAVING AN OPEN CAVITY THEREIN, AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE WALLS OF SAID CAVITY DEFINING A SEAT FOR SAID ACCESSORY IN SAID PREDETERMINED POSITION, AND MAGNETIC MEANS WITHIN SAID POSITIONING MEMBER FOR PRODUCING A MAGNETIC FLUX WHICH EXTENDS FROM SAID SEAT 